§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will take steps for protect security of tenure of farming sub-tenants following the case of Barrattv. Morgan; [16864]
(2) if she will introduce regulations to protect from eviction farming sub-tenants affected by the action of collective landlords and tenants following the case of Barrett v. Morgan. [16865]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 22 November 2001]: Following the House of Lords judgment in the Barrett v. Morgan case the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food consulted on whether the Lord Chancellor should be invited to use the powers available under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 to make regulations to protect the position of sub-tenants. The general consensus among the organisations consulted was that the Barrett v. Morgan judgment does not significantly further weaken the position of sub-tenants.
849WIn the light of the responses received we decided not to ask the Lord Chancellor to make regulations.
If, following the Barrett v. Morgan ruling, it becomes apparent that collusion between landlords and tenants poses a serious threat to a significant number of sub-tenants we will review the decision not to regulate further.